2wd conversion to 4wd
Thread Starter
|
4wd Low
Joined: Nov 2024
Posts: 14
Likes: 1
From: Oklahoma
2wd conversion to 4wd
Does anybody have any advice or tips on converting a 2wd 96 f350 7.3 to 4wd? I have talked to a couple different shops and tried looking up any kind of post on here about it and everything I've seen says it's basically easiest to have a complete donor truck. If there's already a post about this would one of you mind sharing it please? I've found a good deal on a solid truck but it's 2wd and I'd like to convert it. The truck is a '96 F350 CCLB auto with 169k original on it. Straight body and no rust. Has a gooseneck in it but was only used by an older lady to haul mini horses to shows.
Thanks in advance!
Thanks in advance!
Last edited by DieselDad0205; Nov 25, 2024 at 03:37 PM.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 6,807
Likes: 704
From: Tobyhanma, PA
There are definitely write ups folks have done. You can break this down into a couple projects to spread the cost. First would be to source the axle you intend to use and get an rsk meant for this purpose. Sky and PMF both make kits that are great. Once you have the axle mounted, you can continue to drive as normal until you can sort out the transfer case install.
Thread Starter
|
4wd Low
Joined: Nov 2024
Posts: 14
Likes: 1
From: Oklahoma
There are definitely write ups folks have done. You can break this down into a couple projects to spread the cost. First would be to source the axle you intend to use and get an rsk meant for this purpose. Sky and PMF both make kits that are great. Once you have the axle mounted, you can continue to drive as normal until you can sort out the transfer case install.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 7,188
Likes: 1,338
From: Bahstun
Can swap over the D60
RSk helps with steering and when using SD springs, the ride is better.
Can add xfer case to 2wd trans, output shafts are not the same.
Also need a rear drive shaft unless both are CC
RSk helps with steering and when using SD springs, the ride is better.
Can add xfer case to 2wd trans, output shafts are not the same.
Also need a rear drive shaft unless both are CC
Thread Starter
|
4wd Low
Joined: Nov 2024
Posts: 14
Likes: 1
From: Oklahoma
Thread Starter
|
4wd Low
Joined: Nov 2024
Posts: 14
Likes: 1
From: Oklahoma
Can I use the D60 off another 96 and use SD coil overs or do I need to use the SD axle? I haven't looked into the SD axles, are they a D60 also?
Trending Topics
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 7,188
Likes: 1,338
From: Bahstun
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,481
Likes: 5,542
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
i have not done the 05 coil spring swap, but have seen a few people writeups on it . all 250 and 350 super duty trucks after 02 or so had D60's, 99, 2000 and 2001 and early build 250 4X4 trucks came with leaf spring D50, mid year 2002 ford switched to the D60 for all 4X4super dutys. in 05 ford switched from leaf springs to coils springs for the 4X4 trucks.
Thread Starter
|
4wd Low
Joined: Nov 2024
Posts: 14
Likes: 1
From: Oklahoma
Would you just order an RSK and then #2 to do a coil over setup or a lot more things needed in order to make the conversion?
Thread Starter
|
4wd Low
Joined: Nov 2024
Posts: 14
Likes: 1
From: Oklahoma
i have not done the 05 coil spring swap, but have seen a few people writeups on it . all 250 and 350 super duty trucks after 02 or so had D60's, 99, 2000 and 2001 and early build 250 4X4 trucks came with leaf spring D50, mid year 2002 ford switched to the D60 for all 4X4super dutys. in 05 ford switched from leaf springs to coils springs for the 4X4 trucks.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 6,807
Likes: 704
From: Tobyhanma, PA
The most straightforward swap is an OBS D60. If you got the SD D60 then you'd have to address the lug pattern difference.
They make rsk kits to accommodate either axle with a handful of options to add if you desire.
I see complete axles pop up from time tontime on craogslist and the like, but you can also use junkyard sites like car-part and such.
Also be aware of whatever gearing your rear diff has. You'll want to match that or you'll need to regear the rear to match the front.
They make rsk kits to accommodate either axle with a handful of options to add if you desire.
I see complete axles pop up from time tontime on craogslist and the like, but you can also use junkyard sites like car-part and such.
Also be aware of whatever gearing your rear diff has. You'll want to match that or you'll need to regear the rear to match the front.
Thread Starter
|
4wd Low
Joined: Nov 2024
Posts: 14
Likes: 1
From: Oklahoma
The most straightforward swap is an OBS D60. If you got the SD D60 then you'd have to address the lug pattern difference.
They make rsk kits to accommodate either axle with a handful of options to add if you desire.
I see complete axles pop up from time tontime on craogslist and the like, but you can also use junkyard sites like car-part and such.
Also be aware of whatever gearing your rear diff has. You'll want to match that or you'll need to regear the rear to match the front.
They make rsk kits to accommodate either axle with a handful of options to add if you desire.
I see complete axles pop up from time tontime on craogslist and the like, but you can also use junkyard sites like car-part and such.
Also be aware of whatever gearing your rear diff has. You'll want to match that or you'll need to regear the rear to match the front.
I had been talking to a coworker and he said the same, that I need to match the gears in the front to the back. How can i tell the gears in the back? He had mentioned that I just need to pull the cover off the back diff and see what it says. I didn't think it would say on the diff cover.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 6,807
Likes: 704
From: Tobyhanma, PA
There's usually a stamped tag attached to a bolt on the diff cover or you can check the door jamb and see what it says for your axle code.
Worst case you can jack up the rear and count how many times the driveshaft spins in relation to the wheels
Worst case you can jack up the rear and count how many times the driveshaft spins in relation to the wheels
Frmr Ford Trans Engr
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 24,714
Likes: 2,640
From: SE Florida
A transfer case won't bolt to a two wheel drive transmission.
You can change a two wheel drive transmission to four wheel drive.You need to swap two parts, the extension housing and the output shaft.
Changing the extension housing is easy. Unbolt the old one and bolt on the new one. Changing the output shaft is a bit harder. Take the trans out of the truck and take EVERYTHING out of the case. The last part to come out is the old output shaft. The first part to reassemble the transmission is the 4x4 output shaft. Then just reassemble the entire transmission.
You can change a two wheel drive transmission to four wheel drive.You need to swap two parts, the extension housing and the output shaft.
Changing the extension housing is easy. Unbolt the old one and bolt on the new one. Changing the output shaft is a bit harder. Take the trans out of the truck and take EVERYTHING out of the case. The last part to come out is the old output shaft. The first part to reassemble the transmission is the 4x4 output shaft. Then just reassemble the entire transmission.
